Arlo Smith Sr.

Arlo Elmer Smith Sr.,  79, of Gastonia, reached his eternal home on April 28, 2021 at Atrium Health Cabarrus Concord, NC.

He was born on March 23, 1942 to Allen and Ida Smith in Concord, NC.

Arlo E. Smith Sr.  held his entire family close to his heart. He was a hard working father, loving husband and patriotic United States Navy Veteran. His anchor, throughout his life, was his strong faith in Jesus. Arlo could fix almost anything with just his pocket knife. He had an extraordinary gift of poetry and enjoyed watching the birds that would gather around the birdhouses he built.  His sense of humor and silly faces were a treasured commodity to his children and grandchildren. Arlo frequently reminisced of his Navy days and always proudly stood for our National Anthem.

Arlo is survived by one sister, Sarah Ritch and one sister-in-law, Jo Smith; two sons, Rev. Arlo E. Smith, Jr. and wife Mary and Timothy Allen Smith and wife Joy; three daughters, Cynthia Louise Jaafar, Tammy Renee Drew and Amy Marie Smith Giles; five stepsons, James Cable and wife Joan, Tom Cable and wife Karen, Randy Cable and wife Teresa, Noel Cable, Jon Cable and wife Penny; twelve grandchildren, Mary Najla McNeely and husband Robert,  Ernest (Tres) Giles III, Kara Leighann Smith, Sydney Alexandria Giles, Rosa Elizabeth Jaafar, PFC Solomon Jacob Giles, Benjamin Elijah Smith, Jacob Cable, Thomas Cable, Sarah Cable, Jonah Cable and Hannah Cable; three great grandchildren, Jacob Allen McNeely, Kaleb James McNeely and Lucas Alexander McNeely.

He was preceded in death by father, Allen E. Smith, mother, Ida Marie Smith, wife and mother of his children, Mary Louise Smith, wife Evelyn Cable Smith, brothers Claude Smith, Everett Smith, Ralph “Dewey” Smith, and Rev. Dick Smith; sisters Etter Louise Smith and Beulah Williamson.

Visitation and Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 8, 2021 at the Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord, NC, with Rev. Rick Wilson of Calvary Foursquare Church, officiating. Visitation with the family will begin at 1:00pm with the Funeral Services to follow at 2:00pm.  The service will be webcast (watch live): https://video.ibm.com/channel/hartsell-funeral-home-concord

A Private Burial will take place in the Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis.

In lieu of flowers, as per Arlo E. Smith Sr.’s wishes, donations may be made to Calvary Foursquare Church Youth Ministry at 286 Linden Ave. SW Concord, NC 28027.